title: Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 ® in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: review of recently completed randomised, controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We review four randomised, controlled trials investigating the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(®) in elderly patients with Alzheimer or vascular dementia with neuropsychiatric features.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with a total score of 9-23 in the Syndrom-Kurz test (SKT) cognitive test battery (cognitive domain) and with a composite score 6 and greater in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI; behavioural domain) were included. Three trials compared 2 × 120 mg/day or 1 × 240 mg/day EGb 761(®) to placebo while one used donepezil as an active control. The duration of randomised treatment was 22 or 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One thousand, two hundred and ninety-four patients were analysed for efficacy. Patients treated with EGb 761(®) showed improvements of cognitive performance and behavioural symptoms that were associated with advances in activities of daily living and a reduced burden to caregivers. Placebo-treated patients, on the other hand, showed only minimal improvements or signs of progression. In each placebo-controlled trial, EGb 761(®) was significantly superior in all mentioned domains (p < 0.01). In the actively controlled trial, EGb 761(®) and donezepil as well as a combination of both drugs had similar effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review supports the efficacy of EGb 761(®) in age-related dementia with neuropsychiatric features. The drug was safe and well-tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Geriatric Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Alexian Hospital Maria Hilf, Krefeld, Germany, and Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Düsseldorf , Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ihl
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract